GDG- A NEW LBG RESERVATION SYSTEM

[Robert Lawrence]

Katie Lawhon asked us to share this with the group:

A NEW LBG RESERVATION SYSTEM

The objectives of a new ticketing and reservation system for LBG services at
Gettysburg NMP are threefold:  
.	It will provide our visitors with the ability to plan to trip to
Gettysburg NMP in advance, to reserve a LBG tour in advance on the day and
time that best suits their travel schedule, and to guarantee than a LBG will
be there when they arrive.
.	 It will substantially increase the demand for LBG services.  The
unknown number of visitors who do tno request those services today, because
they cannot be guaranteed that a Guide will be available at a time that
meets the needs of their traveling schedule, will be able to plan and secure
those services in advance.
.	It will dramatically reduce the waiting time experienced by the
majority of Guides, who never know for certain when they arrive in the
morning how many, if any, tours they will have on that particular day.

The assumptions that the new reservation system should be built upon would
include:

.	A LBG tour is the very best way for visitors - especially first-time
visitors - to understand and appreciate the battlefield.
.	Participation in the new reservation system will be 100% voluntary.
.	Increased visitation predicted upon the opening of the new
museum/visitor center, combined with the advantages of an advance
reservation system, will result in a likely increase of visitor demand for
LBG services up to 25% above current levels.
.	With the availability of an advance reservation system, it is likely
that 75% or more visitors will reserve a LBG in advance, with 25% or less
being satisfied to trust their luck to a first-come, first-served system
after they arrive at the park.
.	The system will have some built-in capacity to balance supply and
demand.
.	The NPS has the ability to increase the number of guides to meet
visitor demand.
.	An advance reservation system will substantially increase guides'
ability to plan ahead, from knowing how many tours they may expect on any
given day, to knowing how much revenue they may expect to gain on a daily,
weekly, monthly, and annual basis.  It will substantially reduce the waste
of "waiting" time.
.	Like all other ticketing and reservation services in the new
facility, fees for all LBG tours, whether walk-up or reserved in advance,
will be paid to the reservation service at the time of booking.
.	The reservation service will reimburse individual guides on a
bi-weekly basis, for tours conducted (and for non-refundable no-shows).
.	The reservation system will be primarily internet-based and operated
24 hours per day, so the many/most transactions will be automated.
Telephone reservation services will be available for visitors needing
special services, visitors without internet access, and the technophobic.
.	The reservation system will be marketed and promoted by the Museum
Foundation.  It will be linked to the park website, so that visitors to the
park website may go into the reservation system with one click.




Robert W Lawrence CPA
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1Peter 5:7